As the Parliamentary recesss comes to an end (before the usual adjournment for party conferences) the Hansard Society’s Parliament Matters Bulletin has a comprehensive run through the business planned for this week.
You can read it on their website, or suscribe to their weekly email.
CIPR and PolicyMogul Guidance on Professional Lobbying, and parliamentary event
StandardAs part of their ‘Good Lobbying’ campaign, the CIPR and PolicyMogul have written to all MPs with updated guidance on professional lobbying.
The campaign aims to promote the importance of ethical lobbying in the UK by changing legislation to increase transparency and rebuild trust in politics.
To further this effort, the CIPR and PolicyMogul are hosting an event in Parliament on Wednesday 4 September 2024 on how to be lobbied and have invited all MPs, Lords, and their staff to attend.
For further information please see this update from PolicyMogul.
Caseworker Forum Q&A Sessions
StandardIf you’re an MP’s staff member with responsibility for casework, you may be interested in joining the online Caseworker Form, organised by the Members’ and Members’ Staff Services Team. To join, please email [email protected] from your parliamentary email account, giving the details of who you work for, and they will add you.
Each month, there is a Caseworker Forum Q&A session led by the House of Commons Library, which discusses topics of interest to MPs’ staff. To view the upcoming schedule and sign up for the sessions, please see here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1953
Information for new users of Caseworker.MP
StandardDid you know that you don’t need to wait for your electoral roll to be uploaded in order to start using the software? You can add new cases manually, so you can get started straight away.
Their current turnaround for the electoral roll to be added is within 24 – 48 hours but if anyone is having any issues then do get in touch with them: [email protected]
POST – The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
StandardThe Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology is a valuable resource for MPs and researchers.
Their website describes the work they do as follows:
What we do
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is a research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament. It works to ensure that the best available research evidence and information is brought to bear on the legislative process and scrutiny of Government. It primarily supports the select committees of both Houses.
POST:
- publishes impartial, non-partisan, timely and peer-reviewed research
- helps Parliament to access experts and evidence
- identifies emerging areas of interest to Parliament through horizon scanning
- supports the exchange of information and expertise between researchers and the UK Parliament through fellowships and other knowledge exchange activities
Latest briefings include: automated vehicles; reducing plastic waste; What is the metaverse and what impacts will it have for society; food waste; Health impacts of ultra-processed foods; and Mental Health Act reform – impacts on autistic people and people with a learning disability.
To find out more about POST and to access it’s research briefings, please go to its website:
Evidence-Based Medicine
StandardA Mini Masterclass for Members of Parliament
From the University of St. Andrews:
We understand that for many MPs, and special advisors, there is a huge demand on your time and, no matter your own pre-existing expertise, a need to quickly obtain even more knowledge in multiple areas.
We can help with one aspect of this. At the University we have a commitment to public engagement and service. We invite you to a free, one hour seminar designed to equip MPs and/or their staff on the most important aspects of evidence based medicine. This will cover:
- why evidence based medicine? – From opioid overuse to surgical mesh, how to stop medicine doing harm
- finding disease early – complicated and often counter-intuitive
- who to trust? – fact and fiction- how to assess health claims
- real world examples, based on previous political interests; for example: the age cervical screening should start at; and whether patients are protected from doctors’ conflicts of interest
This will be online. Members of staff are welcome.
Conversations with previously elected representatives suggest this information would have been useful, however if you wish other areas covered we would be happy to discuss, including if an in-person seminar is preferred or these times are not suitable.
We have expertise in public health, early diagnosis, screening and risk communication. Dr McCartney is an academic at the School of Medicine and also writes and broadcasts about evidence based medicine, and Professor Donnelly is Director of the Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis.
We are offering this seminar to all MPs and advisors at:
- Tuesday 27th August at 2pm
- Tuesday 3rd September at 4pm
To register, please email Dr. Margaret McCartney with your details.
SOS Devices
StandardHave you moved offices?
If you have an SOS Device (Lone Worker Device) and have moved from working for one MP to another MP, please make sure that you contact [email protected] to update your details with them.
Planning your next steps? Hoping to work in public affairs? – Use August wisely!
After life as a Parliamentary Researcher, what’s next on the career ladder? For many, the natural next step is into the world of public affairs, perhaps for an agency or an in-house team. When it comes to job interviews, potential employers will be looking for someone who not only knows parliamentary procedure, but how to build and deliver a public affairs strategy that will achieve client or organisation objectives. The Other Place Public Affairs Ltd is here to help you gain the knowledge, and the confidence, to take that next step.
SPECIAL OFFER!
The Other Place Public Affairs Ltd is running a one-day, online training course which will share the building blocks of successful public affairs planning. It’s facilitated by a former Parliamentary Researcher with over 15 years’ experience of both in-house and agency public affairs.
The course is £250+VAT if you mention W4MP when booking (normally £350+VAT). Maximum six participants. 9.30am-4.30pm, 13 August 2024, online via Zoom.
Contact Carys Davis at The Other Place Public Affairs Ltd on [email protected] for more info and to book your place.
BGIPU Annual Charity Quiz
StandardTime: 18:00
Date: Monday 9 September 2024
Location: Bellamy’s Café
BGIPU will be hosting the Annual Charity Quiz on Monday 9th September in Bellamy’s café from 1800.
This is open to all members and parliamentary staff, teams are up to 6 people, but individuals can also attend.
Entrance is £5pp going to charity, there will be prizes for the winners and drinks and snacks provided.
People wishing to attend should contact Rhiannon Edwards at [email protected]
Members’ Office Managers Induction – Welcome to Parliament
StandardAll new office managers are strongly advised to book in on an induction session.
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Date: Thursday 8 August 2024
Location: Online via Teams
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Date: Tuesday 20 August 2024
Location: Parliament, in person
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Date: Thursday 5 September 2024
Location: Online via Teams
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Date: Tuesday 17 September 2024
Location: Parliament, In Person
The session will include:
- Getting Started
- Standard Culture and Care
- Safety and Security
By the end of the session you will:
- Have an understanding of the what managing a Members’ Office entails
- Give you an awareness of Teams across the House and what they can offer to assist you in your role.
To sign up for the course, please go to https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=2241 or, if you don’t have a network account yet, please email [email protected]